Hello my note-readers,
Your patience will be rewarded shortly .. and please, whatever high expectations you have of my "contraversial note", put them aside. I really don't want a big "hoo hah" about my note topics just because I've said it'll be contraversial .. =) I hate to disappoint! JMO - Just My Opinons :)
And, I just finished it .. the length is rather, erm, well, get-comfy-and-put-on-a-pot -of-tea length?
Serving in the Body of Christ
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10/11
Each of us should use our gifts to serve others. I’m in total agreement with that statement. Everyone has something to give, whether or not they think they do, and what good is a gift if not opened? That’s not really the subject I’ll be addressing today, just a sidenote.
Loyalty to God/The body of Christ/the church – how much of a priority are these things, and are they defined differently in your mind? In certain aspects I find them very different, and that’s partly what this note will be about! (Just to hint..keep reading)
Loyalty to God “should” be foremost in our minds, and definitely one of the highest priorities when it comes to our walk with Him. People pleasers only get so far, and no matter how hard we try, there is no way to make everyone happy. I think loyalty to God transcends loyalty to the body of Christ and the church, but we are the body of Christ and hence loyalty to ourselves and our fellow believers would most likely follow along with our loyalty to God. When I refer to the church, I do mean the organized place to gather and the responsibilities of serving that go along with the running of the services.
OK, I’m rather tired so in saying that, this may be longer than I expect, but I’ll just put out on the table what this note is essentially about. Please feel free to correct me if I err and say something completely ludacris or use words you’re unfamilar with ;)
Serving in the church - commiting to being on rosters, worship teams, Sunday School, ushering, communion, welcomers and the like. How commited is good, still living in the freedom God has given us? For example, I am sure God wants relationship with Him to be our number one commitment, definitely family after that, and friends following. In saying that, I understand if certain people don’t have family, priorities change. I don’t mean to make digs at anyone here or offend anyone, I’m simply just trying to express my opinion and questions in an open manner.
Believers do this though – place their commitments to church over anything or anyone else. Naturally we are all human, so to err is not unexpected, but to keep up the pretense of having our priorities straight, under the guise of “serving the best interests of God’s people” strongly disturbs me. We definitely should use our gifts in church – I’m all for that. I just think that there is a line, and I’m curious as to where that really is in other peoples minds. Personally, I’m a very freedom loving person. I will admit that that can be taken to too much of an extreme sometimes, but the actual concept that God desires for us to live a life of freedom in Him is taken very literally by me.
The serving “requirements” by leaders nowdays are absolutely full on. The majority of churches I have been to “require” their leaders to be at every meeting, attend youth group/young adults every week and be involved in most aspects of the church, where their gifting is sometimes, or where the need arises. Don’t get me wrong – God bless our leaders. We need godly people who are willing to step up and take on the responsibility for this generation and outreaching to the lost. My point is here, that I think so much of the demands on leaders are, not unrealistic, but quite simply, ridiculous. There have been instances I have experienced, and have heard about first hand, where people have been told to give up previous plans just to attend something because they are a “leader”. If a person has prior commitments to their family, friends or even just an event, how can you expect them to drop that for something such as, a prayer meeting of the leaders? Time and place, I understand. The thing is, where does that flexibility come in? Is there any? Leaders should be reliable and definitely involved in “leadership areas”, but the cost involved should not compromise their promises already made in other areas.
If there was prior notice for something leaders were required/asked to be at, but something was already booked in on your calender; what gives? I do not think “the church” has the power to make you change your plans for them. Example: A leader has been invited to their best friends 18th birthday party – a week after they get the invite and commit to going, a leaders retreat is announced, free of cost., leaders are “required” to go along and pray for one another, to start off the year. And, if you’re reading this going “required to go?! I’m quite sure you’d have an option”, don’t be so sure. I’ve seen it first hand how upset leaders become when other leaders refuse to comply with their responsibilities, and the so called “must do’s” of their position. Extreme example you may say. Where does the loyalty lie? To the friend, who has already been promised your attendance, or to the leaders retreat, which is quite possibly the more godly option. I’m not going to change the scenario to a family member’s wedding, because the way I see it, the prior commitment is the issue here – not what it consists of. Sure, a wedding/funeral may take precedence over a leaders retreat – some things are unavoidable or impossible to get out of. But where does the white end and the grey start?
Life is consistantly busy for most people in todays society, and Christians can be some of the busiest people around. Just using my own observations here, not boxing anyone in a certain way – being busy is global, not selective to beliefs or certain groups. If someone has gifts that they are willing to share with people, especially in an outreach way, then shouldn’t they be allowed to do so without feeling guilty? If someone commits to another church to help them out with an event, let’s say they need someone for lighting, and then their own church turns around and says, well, we have a music practice on that night, we need you for lighting…I think a person should have a strong foundation in their own church, so don’t get me wrong there. But when they make a personal decision, based on a genuine desire to use the gifts/talents God has placed in them, I believe they are right in God’s will. He didn’t give us gifts to share in our own little world and hide under a blanket until we pull them out in front of them, but not in other circles.
Leaders who abuse their position to make an event “work” or to “bring people together” but pull them away from keeping their promises and commitments in other areas are in serious danger of losing respect in peoples eyes. I don’t know if this is coming out right, and I’m scared it perhaps is not. But the way I view life is that God put us here to be witnesses to His great love, not our great leadership. He wants HIS light to shine, not OUR light. We’re put into positions to glorify Him and the gifts we have He wants us to share with everyone. Our word should be sacred, it should be our bond. When we commit to something, it has to be absolute. Commiting to become a leader in the first place definitely comes with its own set of responsibliies and requirements, but as the examples I’ve stated say, not at the cost of breaking your word.
I do believe unity is very very important. If it sounded like I was stating otherwise in this, I did not mean to. Leaders should definitely be a united front, raising people up and encouraging people to take all God has for them, and use all God has given to them for the blessing and saving of others. I do not on the other hand, think it in Gods desire for our lives, for leadership and the church to be made legalistic and all about the rules and requirements. If my friend had been badly hurt and was in hospital, I would not be attending the annual general leaders meeting. Even if my friend has just broken her leg and was alone, I would not attend. Now that could be just me in that respect. I just cannot see the God-likeness in sacrificing LIFE for RULES. We have such a short life, I know perhaps my commitment is lacking in certain areas, and I do struggle in this regard. Perhaps I’m too cynical, perhaps this note was just me letting off steam, but life is LIFE. We are put here to live it to the fullest, as much as we can. By living to the fullest in Gods eyes, that means reaching out to the lost people of our generation. A solid foundation is essential, but I cannot get past the fact that if you’re commited to “the church” and totally surrounded by fellow believers in a daily capacity, and not reaching out to others due to those commitments, instead creating the opportunities but not being the one taking those on, then how are you living life to the fullest??
My example is Jesus. But to my friends and people who refuse to accept that themselves, their example is me. My commitment to God should be 100%, my commitment to the body of Christ should be equal to that. Serving those things obviously connects to the church and the outreaches it produces, but if my friend asks me to give of my time for them, and I say I’m too busy with “my church responsibilities”, how do you think they’ll react? We are not meant to live as people pleasers, but we have a light to shine. One life to live, one God to love and serve the best we can with the unlimited resources He provides. My loyalty lies to God. His people are crying out to be heard, and so many of us neglect to take time out and actually listen. We pray for them, we raise money for witnessing to them, we plan events to encourage them to experience Gods love, but honestly, how often do we just LIVE with them?
I do NOT mean to encourage neglecting leaders responsiblities, and as I said, God bless our leaders. The times are only getting more desperate, and godly leaders rarer in todays society.
My personal opinons are quite strong on this matter. Perhaps they appear mixed up on here, please do tell me if that is the case. I don’t know if in person my words may come out more elequently, but I do hope this was not too perplexing or judgemental sounding. I just believe living daily life like God desires, delving into the opportunites God puts in our path is more important than abiding to the standards of a man made code – even when based on godly principles it can fall into the trap of legalistic routine. Not always mind you, but it very well can. That’s the side of it that I have the issue with.
This has been long..and I am wanting your honest opinions. This was written late at night, but that’s no excuse if I’ve come across as judgmental and proud. Please don’t hesitate to comment!
